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The Conde Nast American Wedding Study 2006 reports that there are an average of 2.3 million weddings each year.
Kleinfeld, the largest salon for designer wedding gowns in the United States, sells more than 10,000 bridal gowns every year. They are creating more stylish and colorful dresses for mothers of the bride and groom. They say that as mothers are getting younger, new styles are being created. Both moms and brides are looking for elegant gowns that are structured, rather than free-flowing, and loose-fitting.
Wedding gown designers are showing Palazzo pants outfits that are both comfortable and fabulous looking.
Anne Taylor has created a new line of bridesmaids dress, using fine fabrics with sophisticated styling. Very basic dresses are out, while more interesting designs are in.
While the white gown is still the number one choice of brides, colorful accents are appearing as creative touches, using beadwork, embroidery and fancy thread work. Alfred Angelo, a major wedding gown designer, is finding that brides are using color accents to match the gowns worn by their mothers and/or their bridesmaids, and not necessarily to match the ties are vests worn by the groom and the groomsmen.
Color and creativity are also finding their way into what the groom and his ushers will wear. Brides, wanting to match the color of their bridesmaids dresses exactly, are buying the exactly-matching fabric and having ties and/or vests made to order.
Albeit the black tuxedo is always in style, men are choosing bolder colors in their vests and ties. Incidentally, the tuxedo as wedding-wear for the men did not make its appearance until 1886, when the socialite Griswold Lorillard and his friends broke with tradition at the Autumn Ball at the Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo Park, New York, by wearing satin-lapeled dinner jackets. All the other men were dressed in the traditional white tie and tails.
Kleinfeld's statistics indicate that the A-line silhouette is the most popular wedding gown style and the strapless neckline is the most popular.
Alfred Angelo is finding that brides are especially interested in silk beaded bodices with ball gown skirts. A new favorite, coined "a destination gown," is one in which the underskirt can be removed, so that the bride will be more comfortable at the reception.
Recently and in increasing numbers, wedding ring designers are being asked to create original wedding rings. Engaged couples are commissioning designers to sculpt rings which have very personal representations. Designer Mel Krumholtz, sites an example of rings which he created for two neuroscientists. The rings, made of platinum, looked like a nerve pathway etched in deep relief. The two wanted wedding rings which were personal to them and the designer was eager to comply.
Engagement ring designs, for the most part, still feature a center-set diamond. Platinum remains the metal of choice. The shapes of diamonds are also being "modernized." Many couples are choosing "unusual" styles such as cushion cut, princess cut, and Tiffany's design, a square with cut corners._
Jewelers are wont to tell us that jewelry doesn't end with the engagement ring or wedding band. Pearls are still the necklaces of choice to be worn with a wedding gown. Most brides are choosing white pearls. Some are mixing pearls and diamonds, while others are choosing colored pearls. And as for earrings, the classic stud is getting some competition from earrings that consist of the stone, suspended from a small pave hoops. The triple-loop dropped earring is another popular alternative.
Registries are undergoing changes. Most couples, sign up for some kitchenware and housewares, but the majority are also adding some furniture items and non-kitchen accessories.
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